Fantasy Baseball Update 7/3/14: Key Matchups This Weekend

July 3, 2014

TV:

We’ve finally reached the big Fourth of July holiday weekend, and that means big things for fantasy baseball owners. We’ll be seeing a packed weekend of MLB action in the coming days, so with that in mind let’s look at some of the available players who could help out your fantasy team in those games and beyond.

Jesse Hahn, SP, San Diego Padres: For the past couple of weeks, Hahn has remained a waiver wire darling and a prudent add in most fantasy formats. He’s running hot once again after a five-inning, three-hit performance for his fourth win in a row. Hahn is rocking a sterling 1.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He’s allowed zero earned in three of his last four appearances. He’ll go up against the Giants on Sunday to try to keep his run going. We imagine he’ll be active in most leagues by then.

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Tim Lincecum, SP, San Francisco Giants: Speaking of the Sunday Giants-Padres matchup, Lincecum has now strung together two excellent starts in a row, and he’s finally making his way back into owners’ good graces. In his last two outings, he’s allowed no earned and has struck out 12, getting him to seven wins on the year. Lincecum is scheduled to take the mound Sunday in what has the makings of a pitchers’ duel. We like him for that one, but after that it’s hard telling where he’ll go, so have a backup plan ready.

Joe Smith, RP, Los Angeles Angels: Smith has been surging up the waiver wire ranks this week, buoyed mainly by his big-time performance in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the White Sox. He snagged a save in both of those games, tossing two clean innings and a strikeout. Smith has excelled in the closer’s role so far, leading to much hope for his future. If you’re in need of saves (and most of us are), he looks great for the Astros series and beyond. Grab him while you can.

Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners: Zunino is a popular backstop pickup this week, and you only have to look at his current three-game hit streak to see why. He’s got three runs, a homer and five RBI in that span, and took a breather in the Houston finale yesterday. Zunino brings one thing to the proverbial fantasy plate, and that’s power. His BA is pretty ugly and he won’t get you any finesse. Still, if you need some homers/RBI from your backstop slot, you could do worse.

Marlon Byrd, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: Byrd has jumped on and off the waiver wire radar this year, but recently he’s staying put. Heading into yesterday’s matchup against Miami, he had a seven-game hit streak in tow, with seven runs, four homers and six RBI to his credit there. He came up empty in that matchup, though. Byrd has been very impressive in the power categories this season, and he’s made a stellar depth outfielder for fantasy owners everywhere. Pick him up ahead of the Pittsburgh series and watch him go.

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